AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Aced it.” He held his hand up, high-fiving her. “Couldn’t have done it without you.” He threaded their fingers together and used his grip to pull her in for a quick, non-threatening hug. “Thanks again.”
She nodded, her eyes on the ground as she stepped away from him. “You’re welcome.”
He opened the door, holding it so his friends could all file out. “Whereto,Callie? Any requests?” She shook her head, her lips pressed between her teeth. He wondered what it would take for such a stunning girl to loosen up and have some fun. “Okay, let’s hit that bar we saw you at the other night. It’llbe empty and we can pick all the music on that old-school jukebox.”
They walked together toward the parking lot. Earlier, Riley had dropped Blakeand himoff for their test andhadgottenina workout while he waited. Riley was responsible, for the most part. But he sure as hell knew how to have a good time when it was warranted. “I’ll drive us there, and we can always call a ride if we end up drinking the rest of the day way.” He winked at his mate, pulling her close for a kiss that wasinappropriateif not their usual. “I’m done letting my girl and my best friend have all the fun around here.”
“Aw,sourpuss, you can join our party anytime you want.” She ruffled his hair as he opened her car door.
Riley smiled as he buckled her in, being an overprotective shifter in front of a very human Callahan. “The ringleader has to control the dancing clowns, not get drunk with them.”
Jasper held Callie’s door, wanting to make the effort and a good impression. “IgnoreRiley, he’s just bitterthatBlake loves him only slightly more than she loves me.”
Callahan smiled at hiscommentand Riley growled low in his throat as Blake groaned. “Don’t make him all cranky before he’s even started to have fun, jerk-face.”
Jasper held his hands up in surrender. “I already promised Callie,I’llbe on my very best behavior.”
Blake barked out a laugh. “That’ll be the day.”
Callahan was quiet, sitting with her small hands in her lap as she watched campus give way to the small downtown area of Greenly. He knew she was uncomfortable. Hecould feel the tension coming off her. His wolf may be taking the world’s longest nap, but even a human could pick up on the vibes she was putting out.
He reached over, tapping her thigh and appreciating theshortsundress she was rocking. “I’m glad you decided to come with us.” She nodded, lips in a tight smile. Everything about her was coiled to snap, and he was beyond fucking hopeful that he’d be the onewho wasaround when it happened.
***
Turned out, two beers were the key to unlocking Callahan’s personality. She and Blake were dancing on the empty floor to old-school Taylor Swift. He’d handed them a stack of dollar bills about five minutes ago and now he was sure he, Riley,and the other three random dudes in the bar were about to listen to a full hour of girl anthems.
“Who knew she could laugh?” Riley nudged him with his elbow as Blake spun a giggling Callie around. “She’s even prettier when she lets go a bit.”
“Get your eyes off my hot tutor or I’ll tell Blake and watch as she removes your testicles with a spoon.” Jasper smiled against his beer bottle, happily watching the two beauties have a good time and dance like, literally, no one was watching. “But, yeah, I agree.”
“Why this girl, man?” Riley pointedather. “Why work so hard when you could walk into any lecture hall and find a sure thing? Is there something else going on here?”
“If you’re asking if my wolf wants to claim her sweet little soul for eternity, the answer is no.” Jasper’s wolf didn’t seem to give two shits about the girl he was lusting after. “I think it all stems from that age-old she-doesn’t-want-me-so-I-have-to-have-her deal. It’s a disgrace, I know, I don’t need the lecture.”
“No lecture.” Riley held his hands up. “I only want to make sure you’re seeing this clearly, that you know what you’re doing. She’s innocent, really fucking innocent. Messing with her could have some repercussions.”
“Clingy?” He’d already thought of that. “She leaves in like a week and a half once the dorms close. I won’t even have a chance to see her again for three full months. That’s plenty of time and space to let any delusional hearts in her eyes die out.” He didn’t want to hurt her, that wasn’t part of his plan. He’d never intentionally hurt anyone. “She’ll get the same talk they all get:one hell of a good time and nothing more. I don’t lie.” Andwithfew exceptions here and there, most chicks were fine with the bare minimum he had to offer.
“Come dance with me, sourpuss.” Blake grabbed Riley’s hand, dragging him out onto the dance floor and shooting Jasper a wink and a nod toward a nowsoloCallahan.
Blake wasn’t the worst wingman after all.
Jasper downed his beer, placing it on the bar behind him before sauntering out into the open space they’d created. He heldouthis hand. “What do you say, Callie baby?” She licked her bottom lip, indecision in her gaze for all of two seconds before she let him pull her into his body.
The song switched over to something a little less pop and more vintage soul. “Sandman” by BRONCHO. He held Callie close, his hand on her lower back, his knee between her pretty little thighs. Dancing he could do.
They moved around the floor for three more songs, her body becoming more pliant with every note. Her fingers moved into the hair on the back of his head, twisting and playing in a way that was driving him wild.
“Careful, Callie, I could get used to your touch.” He spoke against her ear, pleased she pulled him closer instead of pushing him away like she’d been doing for the past week.
Chapter Seven
Callahan
Callahan wassure she’d never had as much fun as she was having in that moment. Blake wasaskind and welcomingasRiley was calm and reassuring. Jasper? Jasper was, surprisingly, the best part. He danced like it was as natural as walking. He never pointed out when she missed a step or moved with inexperience. He held her close, making her smile and laugh with every dip and spin. His legs tangling with herswaswhat she assumed sin was born from. She wanted his touch, she wanted to touch him in return. She wanted to go back in time and domoreof this. She wanted aredoof her freshman year. Fillingit with friends and silly nights of dancing in empty gritty barsinstead of nonstop studying and seclusion.
She was drunk on fun, and only fun. She’d had two beers, and that was hours ago. The bar was starting to fill with coeds, done with finals for the day and looking to unwind the way they had. The four of them were sitting at a small round table, laughing at one story after another of Blake living with two guys for the first time.
